Current Challenges

Past Challenges

1979 Pontiac Trans Am (Smokey)

About

I've wanted a T/A since 1976 when my dad was the Service Manager at a GM dealership in San Antonio. I could have bought a 1976 455ci, 4 speed T/A for dealer cost (about $5700) but the monthly insurance for an 18 yr old was twice the payment for the T/A! Then marriage, kids, college, career, etc took priority. Bought the '79 from a kid in 2008 from a kid who graduated college but couldn't find a job. Paid him $5500, then took it to a guy in SC who did a frame off, rotisserie paint restoration which has taken almost 4 years. Custom leather interior with the Screaming Chicken stitched into the headrest. AM/FM/8 track in the dash, but with a hidden modern unit.

Specs

403 ci Oldsmobile engine; originally came from the factory with 185 bhp, has been rebuilt to put out around 390 bhp now. Automatic transmission (for the wife), in the process of putting in a higher stall converter. Haven't had a chance to do any testing yet, but it'll get up to 80 mph like nobody's business.